Caps eye third straight win in Tampa

(Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals take aim at a third straight win on
Thursday when they visit the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning at the Tampa Bay
Times Forum.

Washington was able to string back-to-back wins together for the first time
this season on Tuesday, as Troy Brouwer scored 32 seconds into overtime to
lift the Capitals to a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over the Florida Panthers
to sweep a home-and-home series with them.

"Obviously we'll take the two points," winger Eric Fehr told the Capitals'
official website after recording a goal and assist Tuesday. "But we've got to
find a way to keep pucks out of our net and just be a little bit stronger in
our own zone.

"But obviously this is big for us, it's a momentum swing for us and we feel
like we're back a little bit."

Down 5-3 in the third period, the Capitals got goals from Eric Fehr and Alex
Ovechkin in a 2:18 span, then thwarted a Florida power play that extended into
overtime.

Moments after successfully killing the high-sticking penalty assessed to
Mathieu Perreault, Nicklas Backstrom sent a pass that resulted in a breakaway
for Brouwer.

Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen made the initial stop, but Brouwer was able to
bang home his rebound.

Mike Ribeiro also had a goal and two assists for the Capitals, who picked up
their first road win of the season. Washington had defeated Florida, 5-0, on
Saturday.

"Every win is important," coach Adam Oates told the team's website. "To stay
with it for 60 minutes is something we talk about all the time."

Tampa, meanwhile, has dropped five straight, but managed to earn a point on
Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Montreal. Anders Lindback made 31 saves in
defeat, while Victor Hedman tallied twice and Sami Salo added another goal for
the Lightning, who scored all three of their goals in the third period.

"In the third period, our character showed up, again," Tampa Bay head coach
Guy Boucher said. "We have to build on a positive. That's extremely positive."

It is their longest slide since going 0-6-1 from Jan. 3-15, 2012.

Tampa Bay beat the Capitals back on Jan. 19 and has won four of the last five
meetings. Washington has also dropped four straight and six of nine as the
visitors in this series.